WO1999055239A1

WO1999055239A1 - Apparatus and method for vascular embolization

Info

Publication number: WO1999055239A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/007399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert F. Rosenbluth; Brian J. Cox; George R. Greene, Jr.
Original assignee: Microvention, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-04-28
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 1999-11-04
Also published as: CA2330136A1; US6015424A; JP2002512837A; AU2009201669A1; ATE282362T1; EP1518502B1; AU2003264582B2; AU3860999A; CN1298287A; EP1806106B1; AU2003264582A1; DE69935814T2; AU2006249217A1; ES2285319T3; AU2006249217B2; AU764797B2; DE69935814D1; US6375669B1; JP4794477B2; CA2647850C

Abstract

Apparatus for vascular embolization, deployable through a microtcatheter, includes a flexible, elongate deployment tube dimensioned for insertion through the microcatheter, and a filamentous embolic device releasably attached to the distal end of the tube. The embolic device is controllably transformable from a soft, compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state. The embolic device may include a polymeric material that is transformable by contact with vascular blood or with a liquid that is cooler than vascular blood, or it may include a metallic material that is transformable by electrolytic corrosion. The embolic device may be a continuous filamentous polymeric extrusion; an elongate microcoil filled with polymeric material; an elongate, multi-segmented chain including polymeric interconnecting portions; or an elongate chain of metal segments that are fused together by electrolytic corrosion. An aneurysm is embolized with this apparatus by deploying a microcatheter so that its distal end is adjacent the aneurysm; deploying the embolic device through the microcatheter and into the aneurysm so that the embolic device forms a web-like mass in the aneurysm; and transforming the embolic device from its soft, compliant state to its rigid or semi-rigid state. The embolic device is advantageously deployed by releasably attaching it to a flexible, elongate deployment tube that is passed through the microcatheter, and then detaching the embolic device from the tube when the embolic device is suitably situated.

Description

ι APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VASCULAR EMBOLIZATION

2

3 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

4 Not Applicable

5

6 FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

7 Not Applicable

8

9 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ιo This invention relates generally to the field of vascular occlusion ιι devices and methods. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus and

12 method for occluding a blood vessel by embolizing a targeted site (such as

13 an aneurysm) in the blood vessel.

14 The embolization of blood vessels is desired in a number of clinical is situations. For example, vascular embolization has been used to control

16 vascular bleeding, to occlude the blood supply to tumors, and to occlude

17 vascular aneurysms, particularly intracranial aneurysms. In recent years,

18 vascular embolization for the treatment of aneurysms has received much

19 attention. Several different treatment modalities have been employed in

20 the prior art. U.S. Patent No. 4,819,637 - Dormandy, Jr. et al., for

21 example, describes a vascular embolization system that employs a

22 detachable balloon delivered to the aneurysm site by an intravascular

23 catheter. The balloon is carried into the aneurysm at the tip of the

24 catheter, and it is inflated inside the aneurysm with a solidifying fluid

25 (typically a polymerizable resin or gel) to occlude the aneurysm. The

26 balloon is then detached from the catheter by gentle traction on the

27 catheter. While the balloon-type embolization device can provide an

28 effective occlusion of many types of aneurysms, it is difficult to retrieve or

29 move after the solidifying fluid sets, and it is difficult to visualize unless it

30 is filled with a contrast material. Furthermore, there are risks of balloon

31 rupture during inflation and of premature detachment of the balloon from ι the catheter.

2 Another approach is the direct injection of a liquid polymer

3 embolic agent into the vascular site to be occluded. One type of liquid

4 polymer used in the direct injection technique is a rapidly polymerizing

5 liquid, such as a cyanoacrylate resin, particularly isobutyl cyanoacrylate,

6 that is delivered to the target site as a liquid, and then is polymerized in

7 situ. Alternatively, a liquid polymer that is precipitated at the target site

8 from a carrier solution has been used. An example of this type of embolic

9 agent is a cellulose acetate polymer mixed with bismuth trioxide and ιo dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Another type is ethylene glycol ιι copolymer dissolved in DMSO. On contact with blood, the DMSO

12 diffuses out, and the polymer precipitates out and rapidly hardens into an

13 embolic mass that conforms to the shape of the aneurysm. Other

14 examples of materials used in this "direct injection" method are disclosed is in the following U.S. Patents: 4,551,132 - Pasztor et al.; 4,795,741 -

16 Leshchiner et al.; 5,525,334 - Ito et al.; and 5,580,568 - Greff et al.

17 The direct injection of liquid polymer embolic agents has proven

18 difficult in practice. For example, migration of the polymeric material

19 from the aneurysm and into the adjacent blood vessel has presented a

20 problem. In addition, visualization of the embolization material requires

21 that a contrasting agent be mixed with it, and selecting embolization

22 materials and contrasting agents that are mutually compatible may result

23 in performance compromises that are less than optimal. Furthermore,

24 precise control of the deployment of the polymeric embolization material

25 is difficult, leading to the risk of improper placement and/or premature

26 solidification of the material. Moreover, once the embolization material

27 is deployed and solidified, it is difficult to move or retrieve.

28 Another approach that has shown promise is the use of

29 thrombogenic microcoils. These microcoils may be made of a ι biocompatible metal alloy (typically platinum and tungsten) or a suitable

2 polymer. If made of metal, the coil may be provided with Dacron fibers

3 to increase thrombogenicity. The coil is deployed through a

4 microcatheter to the vascular site. Examples of microcoils are disclosed

5 in the following U.S. patents: 4,994,069 - Ritchart et al.; 5,133,731 - e Butler et al.; 5,226,911 - Chee et al.; 5,312,415 - Palermo; 5,382,259 -

7 Phelps et al.; 5,382,260 - Dormandy, Jr. et al.; 5,476,472 - Dormandy, Jr.

8 et al.; 5,578,074 - Mirigian; 5,582,619 - Ken; 5,624,461 - Mariant;

9 5,645,558 - Horton; 5,658,308 - Snyder; and 5,718,711 - Berenstein et al. o The microcoil approach has met with some success in treating 1 small aneurysms with narrow necks, but the coil must be tightly packed 2 into the aneurysm to avoid shifting that can lead to recanalization. 3 Microcoils have been less successful in the treatment of larger aneurysms, 4 especially those with relatively wide necks. A disadvantage of microcoils s is that they are not easily retrievable; if a coil migrates out of the 6 aneurysm, a second procedure to retrieve it and move it back into place is 7 necessary. Furthermore, complete packing of an aneurysm using s microcoils can be difficult to achieve in practice. 9 A specific type of microcoil that has achieved a measure of success 0 is the Guglielmi Detachable Coil ("GDC"). The GDC employs a 1 platinum wire coil fixed to a stainless steel guidewire by a solder 2 connection. After the coil is placed inside an aneurysm, an electrical 3 current is applied to the guidewire, which heats sufficiently to melt the 4 solder junction, thereby detaching the coil from the guidewire. The 5 application of the current also creates a positive electrical charge on the 6 coil, which attracts negatively-charged blood cells, platelets, and 7 fibrinogen, thereby increasing the thrombogenicity of the coil. Several 8 coils of different diameters and lengths can be packed into an aneurysm 9 until the aneurysm is completely filled. The coils thus create and hold a ι thrombus within the aneurysm, inhibiting its displacement and its

2 fragmentation.

3 The advantages of the GDC procedure are the ability to withdraw

4 and relocate the coil if it migrates from its desired location, and the

5 enhanced ability to promote the formation of a stable thrombus within the

6 aneurysm. Nevertheless, as in conventional microcoil techniques, the

7 successful use of the GDC procedure has been substantially limited to s small aneurysms with narrow necks.

9 There has thus been a long-felt, but as yet unsatisfied need for an o aneurysm treatment device and method that can substantially fill 1 aneurysms of a large range of sizes, configurations, and neck widths with 2 a thrombogenic medium with a minimal risk of inadvertent aneurysm 3 rupture or blood vessel wall damage. There has been a further need for 4 such a method and device that also allow for the precise locational s deployment of the medium, while also minimizing the potential for 6 migration away from the target location. In addition, a method and 7 device meeting these criteria should also be relatively easy to use in a s clinical setting. Such ease of use, for example, should preferably include a 9 provision for good visualization of the device during and after 0 deployment in an aneurysm. 1 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 3 Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an embolic device, 4 comprising a thrombogenic medium, that is deployed in a soft, compliant 5 state, and that is controllably transformed into a rigid or semi-rigid state 6 after deployment. In another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus 7 for deploying the aforesaid embolic device in the interior of an aneurysm. 8 Still another aspect of the present invention is a method for embolizing a 9 vascular site, particularly an aneurysm, using the aforesaid embolic 5 ι device.

2 In a first preferred embodiment, the embolic device comprises a

3 continuous, filamentous extrusion of polymeric "transition material" that

4 is inserted into an aneurysm while in a soft, self-adherent, compliant state.

5 The insertion of one or more such embolic devices results in a mass of e material that substantially fills the aneurysm and that substantially

7 conforms to the interior shape of the aneurysm. Depending on the

8 particular polymeric material employed, any of several mechanisms is

9 then employed controllably to transform the transition material into a ιo rigid or semi-rigid state, in which the material forms a stable, ιι thrombogenic "plug" inside the aneurysm. For example, the material

12 may be injected at a temperature slightly above body temperature and

13 then cooled into its rigid or semi-rigid state by contact with the patient's

14 blood, or by the injection of a cooler saline solution. Alternatively, the is polymeric material may be exposed to a hardening agent that reacts

16 physically or chemically with the material to effect the transition to the

17 rigid or semi-rigid state. As still another alternative, the polymeric is material may be mixed with a water soluble, biocompatible plasticizer

19 that dissolves out in the vascular blood to leave a rigid or semi-rigid

20 polymeric structure.

21 In another preferred embodiment, the embolic device comprises an

22 elongate, flexible microcoil, the interior of which contains the transition

23 material. The microcoil is deployed in the aneurysm with the transition

24 material in its soft, compliant state, and then the transition material is

25 rigidified by any suitable mechanism, as mentioned above, thereby

26 rigidifying the microcoil in situ.

27 In another preferred embodiment, the embolic device comprises an

28 elongate, flexible chain of articulated segments linked together so as to

29 form a limp segmented filament that is installed in the aneurysm. After 6 ι placement in the aneurysm, the segmented filament is rigidized by fusing

2 the segments through one of several mechanisms, depending on the

3 material of the segments. For example, if the segments are metal, the

4 segments can be fused together by electrolytic corrosion resulting from a

5 current being passed through the device. If the segments are made, at

6 least in part, of a polymeric "transition material", the transition of the

7 device to a rigid or semi-rigid state can be induced by one of the

8 mechanisms discussed above.

9 In still another preferred embodiment, the embolic device is a ιo highly-compliant chain-like structure comprising a plurality of ιι interconnected hollow links or segments. Each of the segments has a

12 slotted, mushroom-shaped head portion and a socket portion that is

13 shaped and dimensioned to receive the head portion of an adjacent

14 segment. The hollow segments allow the embolic device to be inserted is into an aneurysm over a guide wire (not shown), if desired. Once the

16 device is inserted, a polymeric transition material is injected, while in the

17 soft, compliant state, into the hollow interior of the device, and the is transformation into its rigid or semi-rigid state can be effected as described

19 above. Alternatively, the segments can be made of a metal and then fused

20 together by electrolytic corrosion.

21 A preferred embodiment of the apparatus for deploying the embolic

22 device comprises a flexible, elongate, hollow deployment tube having an

23 axial passage and a cup-shaped holding element at its distal end. The

24 holding element, which is configured and dimensioned to hold the

25 proximal end of the embolic device by a frictional engagement, has a base

26 with an opening that communicates with the axial lumen. The

27 deployment tube (or at least its distal end) is preferably made of a

28 radiopaque material, such as a biocompatible metal alloy, thereby

29 facilitating visualization during the deployment of the embolic device, 7 ι without requiring the inclusion of a radiopaque substance in the embolic

2 device itself.

3 The preferred method of deploying the embolic device using this

4 apparatus is as follows: The deployment tube, with the embolic device

5 thus attached to it, is inserted into and pushed through a microcatheter

6 that has been advanced intravascularly to the aneurysm site by means

7 well known in the surgical arts. Passage of the flexible deployment tube

8 and the limp embolic device through the microcatheter is assisted and

9 facilitated by a flow of fluid (e.g., saline solution) through the ιo microcatheter around the exterior of the deployment tube and the embolic ιι device. The deployment tube is pushed through the microcatheter until

12 the embolic device has been fully inserted into the aneurysm. Finally, a

13 fluid (e.g., saline solution) is injected through the axial lumen and into the

14 holding element of the deployment tube. The pressure of the fluid pushes is the embolic device out of the holding element, thereby detaching the

16 embolic device from the deployment tube. The deployment tube is then

17 withdrawn from the microcatheter. If more than one embolic device is

18 necessary to fill the aneurysm, the above-described process can be

19 repeated until the aneurysm is filled.

20 The present invention offers a number of advantages over prior art

21 embolization methods and devices. For example, the embolic device of

22 the present invention is deployable within an aneurysm in a soft,

23 compliant state, thereby minimizing the risk of aneurysm rupture or

24 vascular damage. The location of the embolic device can be controlled

25 with some precision, and, until it is detached from the deployment tube,

26 its deployment can be reversed. Thus, the risks of migration out of the

27 aneurysm are minimized. Furthermore, the embolic device of the present

28 invention can be used in aneurysms having a wide variety of shapes and

29 sizes; it is not limited to small aneurysms or those with narrow necks. 8 ι These and other advantages of the present invention will be more fully

2 appreciated from the detailed description that follows.

3

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

5 Figure 1 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of an

6 apparatus for deploying an embolic device in accordance with the present

7 invention; β Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2 - 2 of Figure 1 ,

9 showing the apparatus with an embolic device in accordance with a first ιo preferred embodiment of the present invention; ιι Figures 3 and 4 are idealized views of an embolic device in

12 accordance with present invention in the process of being deployed in an

13 aneurysm by means of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

14 Figure 5 is an elevational view of one embodiment of an embolic is device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present

16 invention;

17 Figure 6 is a detailed view taken within the area of Figure 5

18 designated by the broken outline 6;

19 Figure 7 is an elevational view of a portion of an embolic device

20 that is a modification of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6;

21 Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8 - 8 of Figure 7;

22 Figure 9 is an elevational view of a portion of an embolic device

23 that is another modification of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6;

24 Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of Figure

25 9;

26 Figure 11 is an end elevational view of an embolic device in

27 accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

28 Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of Figure

29 11; and ι Figures 13-16 are cross-sectional views, similar to that of Figure 10,

2 showing further modifications of the third preferred embodiment of the

3 embolic device of the present invention.

4

5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

6 Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of an apparatus

7 10 for deploying an embolic device 12 in accordance with the present

8 invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a microcatheter 14 having an

9 axial lumen 15, and a deployment tube 16 that is insertable through the ιo lumen 15 of the microcatheter 14. The microcatheter 14 is of ιι conventional design, and many suitable microcatheters for the apparatus

12 10 are commercially available. The proximal end of the microcatheter 14

13 is provided with a fitting 18 for coupling to a source (not shown) of a fluid

14 (such as saline solution), the flow of which is used to facilitate the passage is of the deployment tube 16 through the microcatheter 14, as will be

16 described below. The microcatheter 14, or at least its distal end, is

17 preferably made of a radiopaque material, such as a biocompatible metal.

18 Alternatively, it may be made of a suitable plastic, with a radiopaque

19 insert (not shown) proximate its distal end, as is well known in the art.

20 The deployment tube 16 is a long, thin, hollow, highly flexible

21 tube, having an axial passage 20 and an overall length that is somewhat

22 greater than that of the microcatheter 14. The deployment tube 16 has a

23 proximal end to which is attached an inlet fitting 22 that communicates

24 with the axial passage 20 and that is adapted for coupling to a liquid

25 source (not shown). The source contains a biocompatible liquid that can

26 be delivered to the inlet fitting 22 under pressure for purposes to be

27 described below. The distal end of the deployment tube 16 is provided

28 with a cup-like fitting 24 that serves as a holding element that is

29 configured for frictional engagement with the proximal end of the embolic 10 ι device 12. The interior of the holding element 24 communicates with the

2 axial passage 20 of the deployment tube 16 by means of an axial bore 26.

3 A substantial portion of the length of the deployment tube 16 extending

4 proximally from the holding element 24 is formed as a highly flexible and

5 compliant outer portion 28 formed from a continuous length of helically-

6 coiled metal wire. The outer portion 28 concentrically surrounds an inner

7 portion 30, formed from a highly-flexible polymeric material, the interior

8 of which defines a distal portion of the axial passage 20 that is coupled to

9 the axial bore 26 of the holding element 24. The proximal ends of both ιo the outer portion 28 and the inner portion 30 are connected to the distal ιι end of an internal transition fitting 32, the proximal end of which is

12 connected to the distal end of a proximal tube section 34, which may be

13 made of a flexible polymeric material. An axial bore 36 traverses the

14 length of the transition fitting 32, providing fluid communication between is the distal portion of the axial passage 20 that is within the inner portion

16 30, and the proximal portion of the axial passage 20 that is defined within

17 the proximal tube section 34. The aforementioned inlet fitting 22 is is connected to the proximal end of the proximal tube section 34.

19 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the embolic device 12 comprises a

20 continuous, filamentous extrusion of polymeric "transition material".

21 This transition material is initially in a soft, self-adherent, compliant

22 state. While the material is in this state, the embolic device 12 is inserted

23 into an aneurysm. The insertion results in a web-like mass of material

24 that substantially fills the aneurysm and that substantially conforms to the

25 interior shape of the aneurysm. Depending on the particular polymeric

26 material employed, any of several mechanisms is then employed

27 controllably to transform the transition material into a rigid or semi-rigid

28 state, in which the material forms a stable, thrombogenic "plug" inside the

29 aneurysm. For example, the embolic device 12 may be injected at a 11 ι temperature slightly above body temperature and then cooled into its rigid

2 or semi-rigid state by contact with the patient's vascular blood, or by the

3 injection of a cooler saline solution. Alternatively, the polymeric material

4 may be exposed to a hardening agent that reacts chemically or physically

5 with the material to effect the transition to the rigid or semi-rigid state.

6 As still another alternative, the polymeric material may be mixed with a

7 water-soluble, biocompatible plasticizer (as described below) that

8 dissolves out in the vascular blood to leave a rigid or semi-rigid polymeric

9 structure. ιo Prior to deployment, and while the material of the embolic device ιι 12 is in its initial soft, compliant state, the proximal end of the embolic

12 device 12 is pushed into the holding element 24 of the deployment tube

13 16, where it is frictionally retained in place. With the distal end of the

14 microcatheter 14 having previously been deployed adjacent the targeted

15 aneurysm (designated by the numeral 36 in Figures 3 and 4), the distal

16 end (not shown) of the embolic device 12 is then inserted into the fitting

17 18 at the proximal end of the microcatheter 14. As the embolic device 12 is and the deployment tube 16 are pushed through the lumen 15 of the

19 microcatheter 14, a liquid, such as a saline solution, is caused to flow

20 through the microcatheter 14, as indicated by arrows designated by the

21 numeral 38 in Figure 2. The flow of the liquid assists in carrying the

22 embolic device 12 and the deployment tube 16 through the microcatheter

23 14 until the distal end of the deployment tube 16 is well within the

24 aneurysm 36 (Figure 3), at which point the embolic device 12 starts to

25 form a web-like, thrombogenic mass or plug 40 within the aneurysm. The

26 proximal end of the embolic device 12 is detached from the deployment

27 tube 16 by the pressure of a fluid (such as saline solution) injected through

28 the axial passage 20 of the deployment tube and the axial bore 26 of the

29 holding element 24. 12 ι If the size of the aneurysm 36 requires more than one embolic

2 device 12 to fill it completely, the deployment tube 16 is withdrawn

3 through the microcatheter 14 and reloaded with another embolic device

4 12, and the above-described deployment process is repeated as often as is

5 needed to fill the aneurysm 36 completely (Figure 4). As shown in Figure

6 4, the final embolic device 12 is then detached from the deployment tube

7 16 in the manner described above, and the deployment tube 16 is

8 withdrawn from the microcatheter 14.

9 The fluid used to carry the deployment tube 16 and the embolic ιo device 12 through the microcatheter 14, and the fluid used to detach the ιι embolic device 12 from the deployment tube (i.e., the "deployment

12 fluids"), are selected so that they do not effect the transition of the embolic

13 device material from its soft state to its rigid or semi-rigid state. Thus, for

14 example, if the transition material effects the transition by being cooled is from slightly above body temperature (e.g., from about 40 °C) to

16 approximately normal body temperature (37 °C), these deployment fluids

17 are injected at about the higher temperature, so that the transition does is not take place prematurely.

19 Once the web-like thrombogenic mass 40 completely fills the

20 aneurysm 36, as shown in Figure 4, the transition material of the embolic

21 device(s) 12 installed within the aneurysm 36 can be transformed to its

22 rigid or semi-rigid state by means of one of the aforementioned

23 mechanisms, depending on the nature of the material itself. For example,

24 a "transition fluid", such as saline at the required temperature, can be

25 injected through the microcatheter 14 to bathe the mass 40, thereby

26 effecting the desired transition.

2 Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an embolic device 50 in accordance with

28 a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The embolic device 50

29 comprises a hollow metal microcoil 52, the interior of which is filled with

30 a core 54 of polymeric transition material. The embolic device 50 is 13 ι rigidified by the transformation of the material of the core 54 from its soft,

2 compliant state to its rigid or semi-rigid state effecting a temperature

3 change, as described above. The deployment of the embolic device 50 is

4 performed by essentially the same method as that used for the deployment

5 of the previously-described embodiment.

6 Modifications of the embolic device 50 are shown in Figures 7

7 through 10. In Figures 7 and 8, an embolic device 50' comprises a hollow β metal microcoil 52', the distal end of which is closed by an end cap 56.

9 The device 50' lacks a core. Instead, when the microcoil 52' is inserted ιo into an aneurysm, but before it is detached from the deployment tube 16, ιι a flowable transition material is injected into the interior of the microcoil

12 52' through the axial passage 20 of the deployment tube 16 and the axial

13 bore 26 of the holding element 24. The injection of the transition material

1 is illustrated in Figure 7 by the arrows designated by the numeral 58. The is flexing and bending of the installed microcoil 52', as shown in Figure 8,

16 causes interstices between the coils to open up, allowing the transition

1 material to flow out of the microcoil, as indicated by the arrows is designated by the numeral 60. The transition material then can be

19 transformed into its rigid or semi-rigid state, thereby rigidifying the

20 microcoil 52'. The exposed transition material that has flowed out of the

21 interstices between the coils provides further rigidity and enhances the

22 thrombogenicity of the device 50'.

23 The advantages of the embolic device 50' of Figures 7 and 8 can

24 also be realized in another modification shown in Figures 9 and 10. In

25 this latter modification, an embolic device 50" comprises a hollow metal

26 microcoil 52" having an end cap 56" closing its distal end. The microcoil

27 52" has a plurality of apertures 62 along its length, only one of which is

28 shown in the drawings. The apertures 62 provide additional paths for the

29 outflow of the transition material, as shown by the arrows indicated by

30 the numeral 64 in Figure 10. 14 ι A third preferred embodiment of the embolic device is shown in

2 several variations in Figures 11-16. Referring first to Figures 11 and 12,

3 an embolic device 70 in accordance with this third embodiment is a

4 chain-like structure comprising a plurality of interconnected metal links or

5 segments 72, each of which has a socket 74 at one end and a slotted ball

6 76 at the other end. Each socket 74 is dimensioned to receive the ball 76

7 of the adjacent segment 72, the slotted configuration of the balls 76

8 allowing them to be slightly compressed to fit into the sockets 74. The

9 balls 76 are loosely received in the sockets 74, and the segments 72 are ιo dimensioned so that there is a gap between each adjacent pair. Thus, the ιι entire chain-like structure of the device 70 can be flexibly deformed and

12 twisted much like a microcoil to form the web-like mass 40 when

13 deployed inside an aneurysm by means of the above-described method.

14 When it is desired to rigidify the device 70, an electric current is passed is through it, resulting in the fusing of the balls 76 in the sockets 74 by

16 electrolytic corrosion. The electric current can be applied through the

17 deployment tube 16, provided that the deployment tube 16 (including the

18 holding element 24) is made of a conductive metal with suitable

19 electrodes (not shown) that connect the embolic device 70 to a current

20 source (not shown).

21 A modification of the third embodiment is shown in Figure 13. An

22 embolic device 70' is a chain-like structure comprising a plurality of

23 interconnected metal links or segments 72', each including a socket 74' at

24 one end and a slotted ball 76' at the other end. The balls 76' are received

25 in the sockets 74' as described above. The modification comprises an

26 annular collar 78 around the socket 74' of each segment 72'. The collar 78

27 extends axially away from the ball 76' to abut against, or at least be

28 closely adjacent to, the next adjacent segment 72'. The collar 78 is formed

29 of a polymeric transition material that is initially in the soft, compliant

30 state when the device 70' is inserted into an aneurysm, and that is 15 ι transformed into its rigid or semi-rigid state, in the manner described

2 above, when the aneurysm is filled. Since the collars 78, when rigidified,

3 form interlinking elements between adjacent segments 72', the

4 transformation of the material of the collars 78 rigidifies the entire device

5 70'. A similar effect can be achieved, at some cost savings, by the

6 modified embolic device 70" of Figure 14, in which only alternating

7 segments 72' are provided with the collar 78.

8 Figures 15 and 16 illustrate still another modification of the third

9 preferred embodiment. In this modification, an embolic device 70'" is a ιo highly-compliant chain-like structure comprising a plurality of ιι interconnected links or segments 72", each of which is hollow. Each of

12 the segments 72" has a slotted, mushroom-shaped head portion 80, and a

13 socket portion 82 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the head

14 portion 80 of an adjacent segment 72". The hollow segments 72" allow is the embolic device 70'" to be inserted into an aneurysm over a guide wire

16 (not shown), if desired. Once the device 70"' is inserted, a transition

17 material 84 (Fig.16) is injected, while in a flowable state, into the hollow is interior of the device 70'", and the transformation of the device 70" from a

19 soft compliant state into its rigid or semi-rigid state can be effected as

20 described above. Alternatively, the segments 72" can be made of a metal

21 and then fused together by electrolytic corrosion, as described above.

22 For the selection of transition materials which are used in

23 accordance with the present invention to fill the aneurysm in a relatively

24 soft, semi-rigid state as described above, and which thereafter harden to

25 fill the aneurysm in a sufficiently rigid state, the skilled artisan may refer

26 to the self-hardening polymeric materials described in United States

27 Patent No. 5,634,936, the specification of which is incorporated herein by

28 reference. Generally speaking, the materials described in this reference

29 are polymers that, due to the judicious addition of cross-linking agents

30 and/or cross-linking catalysts, are in a semi-rigid state while being 16 ι introduced through a catheter, and harden only after they have been

2 deposited in the aneurysm. Materials described in United States Patent

3 No. 5,725,568 can also be selected for use in the present invention, and

4 the specification of U.S. Patent No. 5,725,568 is also incorporated herein

5 by reference.

6 A presently preferred material for use in the present invention constitutes a microcrystalline wax composition that is of the appropriate β semi-rigid consistency a few degrees above body temperature, but

9 becomes sufficiently rigid when cooled to body temperature. As is ιo known, waxes are, generally speaking, fatty acids having more than 12 ιι carbon atoms and a straight alkyl chain. A microcrystalline wax material

12 is readily formulated within the state-of-the-art to have the appropriate

13 transition temperature.

14 Another presently preferred material for use in the present is invention is cellulose acetate polymer that is softened with ethyl lactate or

16 dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) plasticizer. Still other presently preferred

17 materials are a class of polyurethane based copolymers that are available is under the TECOPHILIC trademark from Thermedics Corporation.

19 Specific commercial designations of these copolymers are HP-60D-60,

20 SP-80A-150 and SP-93A-100. These polyurethane-based copolymers are

21 softened with a plasticizer or mixture of plasticizers that are selected

22 primarily from DMSO, ethanol, and ethyl lactate, with DMSO being

23 most suitable for HP-60D-60, and ethanol or ethyl lactate or mixtures

24 thereof for SP-80A-150 and SP-93A-100. The above-noted plasticizers are

25 sufficiently water soluble that after the intimate mixture of polymeric

26 material and plasticizer has been deposited in the aneurysm, percolation

27 of blood gradually washes out the plasticizer from the polymeric material

28 to render it rigid.

29 A composition that is well-suited for the transition material in the

30 hollow microcoil embolic devices 50' and 50" of Figures 7 through 10, 17 and for the transition material 84 of the embolic device 70'" of Figures 15 and 16, is cyanoacrylate. The cyanoacrylate rigidifies by polymerization when contacted by vascular blood which seeps into the embolic device 70'" between the segments 72". In addition to the foregoing, a number of biocompatible polymers and copolymers, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polycarbonate urethane copolymers, and hydrogels may be formulated with a sufficient amount of biocompatible plasticizer, such as DMSO, to render them semi-rigid and suitable for application in the present invention through the catheters described above. Thereafter, these materials harden sufficiently in the aneurysm due to the removal of the plasticizer by percolating blood. While several preferred embodiments have been described above, as well as a number of variations and modifications, it will be appreciated that other variations and modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the pertinent arts. Such variations and modifications are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the claims that follow.

Claims

18 ╬╣ WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

2 1. Apparatus for vascular embolization that is deployable through

3 a microcatheter having an axial lumen, comprising:

4 a flexible, elongate, hollow deployment tube dimensioned

5 for insertion through the lumen of the microcatheter, the

6 deployment tube having a proximal end and a distal end; and

7 a filamentous embolic device having a proximal end ╬▓ releasably attached to the distal end of the deployment tube, the

9 embolic device being controllably transformable from a soft, o compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state. 1 2 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embolic device includes 3 a polymeric material that is controllably transformable from a soft, 4 compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state. 5 6 3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the polymeric material is 7 transformable by contact with vascular blood. 8 9 4. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the polymeric material is 0 controllably transformable by contact with a biocompatible liquid that is 1 cooler than vascular blood. 2 3 5. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is 4 mixed with a biocompatible plasticizer that is soluble in vascular blood. 5 6 6. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein the polymeric material 7 includes a microcrystalline wax composition. 8 9 19 7. The apparatus of Claim 5, wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate polymers and polyurethane-based copolymers.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein the plasticizer is selected from a group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide, ethyl lactate, and ethanol.

9. The apparatus of any of Claims 2 through 8, wherein the embolic device comprises a continuous extrusion of the polymeric material.

10. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein the embolic device comprises an elongate, flexible microcoil having a hollow interior containing the polymeric material.

11. The apparatus of any of Claims 2 through 8, wherein the embolic device comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked segments, at least some of which include an interlinking portion made of the polymeric material.

12. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the embolic device comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked metal segments, wherein the chain is transformable by electrolytic corrosion.

13. The apparatus of any of Claim 3, wherein the embolic device comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked hollow segments filled with the polymeric material.

20 14. The apparatus of Claims 10 or 13, wherein the polymeric material is cyanoacrylate.

15. A vascular embolization device, comprising: an elongate filamentous element that is controllably transformable from a soft, compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state.

16. The device of Claim 15, wherein the device includes a portion formed of a polymeric material that is controllably transformable from a soft, compliant state to a rigid or semi-rigid state.

17. The device of Claim 16, wherein the polymeric material is transformable by contact with vascular blood.

18. The device of Claim 16, wherein the polymeric material is controllably transformable by contact with a biocompatible liquid that is cooler than vascular blood.

19. device of Claim 17, wherein the polymeric material is mixed with a biocompatible plasticizer that is soluble in vascular blood.

20. The device of Claim 17, wherein the polymeric material includes a microcrystalline wax composition.

21. The device of Claim 19, wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate polymers and polyurethane-based copolymers.

21 22. The device of Claim 21 , wherein the plasticizer is selected from a group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide, ethyl lactate, and ethanol.

23. The device of any of Claims 16 through 22, wherein the filamentous element comprises a continuous extrusion of the polymeric material.

24. The device of Claim 17, wherein the filamentous element comprises an elongate, flexible microcoil having a hollow interior containing the polymeric material.

25. The device of any of Claims 16 through 22, wherein the filamentous element comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked segments, at least some of which include an interlinking portion made of the polymeric material.

26. The device of Claim 15, wherein the filamentous element comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked metal segments, wherein the chain is transformable by electrolytic corrosion.

27. The device Claim 17, wherein the filamentous element comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked hollow segments filled with the polymeric material.

28. The apparatus of Claims 24 or 27, wherein the polymeric material is cyanoacrylate.

29. A method of embolizing a vascular site, comprising the steps of: 22 ╬╣ (a) deploying a catheter so that its distal end is adjacent the

2 vascular site;

3 (b) providing an elongate, filamentous embolic device that is

4 controllably transformable from a soft, compliant state to a rigid or

5 semi-rigid state;

6 (c) deploying the embolic device through the catheter and

7 into the vascular site so that the embolic device forms a web-like

8 mass in the vascular site; and

9 (d) transforming the embolic device from its soft, compliant ╬╣o state to its rigid or semi-rigid state.

11

12 30. The method of Claim 29, wherein the embolic device has a

13 proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the step of deploying

14 comprises the steps of: is (c)(1) providing an elongate, flexible deployment tube having

16 a distal end;

17 (c)(2) attaching the proximal end of the embolic device to the ╬╣ ╬▓ distal end of the deployment tube;

19 (c)(3) inserting the distal end of the deployment tube into the

20 catheter; and

21 (c)(4) pushing the deployment tube though the catheter with

22 the assistance of a fluid flowing through the catheter so as to carry

23 the deployment tube and the embolic device through the catheter

24 until the embolic device is deployed in the vascular site; and

25 (c)(5) detaching the embolic device from the deployment

26 tube.

27

28 31. The method of Claims 29 or 30, wherein the embolic device

29 includes a portion made of a polymeric material that is transformable 23 from the soft compliant state to the rigid or semi-rigid state, and wherein the step of transforming is performed by contacting the polymeric portion of the embolic device with vascular blood.

32. The method of Claims 29 or 30, wherein the embolic device includes a portion made of a polymeric material that is transformable from the soft, compliant state to the rigid or semi-rigid state, and wherein the step of transforming is performed by contacting the polymeric portion of the embolic device with a biocompatible liquid that is cooler than vascular blood.

33. The method of Claims 29 or 30, wherein the embolic device comprises an elongate, flexible chain of multiple interlinked metal segments, and wherein the step of transforming is performed by electrolytic corrosion of the segments.

34. The method of Claims 29 or 30, wherein the embolic device has a hollow interior, and wherein the step of transforming includes the steps of: (d)(1) injecting a transition material into the interior of the embolic device, the transition material being transformable from a flowable state to a rigid or semi-rigid state by contact with vascular blood; and (d)(2) transforming the transition material from the flowable state to the rigid or semi-rigid state through contact with vascular blood.